SERBIATRIB th International Conference on Tribology. Belgrade, Serbia, May 2015 TRIBOLOGY IN HUMAN WALKING

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1 Serbian Tribology Society SERBIATRIB th International Conference on Tribology Belgrade, Serbia, May 2015 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering TRIBOLOGY IN HUMAN WALKING Milan NIKOLIĆ 1, *, Dušan STAMENKOVIĆ 1, Miloš MILOŠEVIĆ 1, Milan BANIĆ 1 1 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Niš, Serbia *Corresponding author: milan.nikolic.nis@gmail.com Abstract: Statistical data shows that huge numbers of injuries are due to human slipping in streets, factory halls, open and close public areas, etc. Beside environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc) and pedestrian areas cleanliness, most important parameters are tribological properties of shoes and floors. Today in Europe there are different standards and methods for shoes and floors slip resistant determination, but manufacturers apply them only on special demands. In Serbia there are no standards in this field. Research was started at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University in Niš aimed to define test procedures for tribological properties of shoes and pedestrian areas and to determine the technical requirements in the production of footwear and flooring. Keywords: of static, fall, slip, floor, shoe. 1. INTRODUCTION Statistical data in leading countries shows that huge numbers of injuries are due to human slipping in streets, factory halls, open and close public areas etc. In UK, data shows that injuries from slipping are the biggest class of injuries. In fact, slips, trips, and falls are a serious public health problem. One of the ways to reduce slips and falls mean to know and understand requirements of shoes and pedestrian walkways. When measuring the available on surfaces it is vitally important that a valid method is used. It is the most important which method is applied for establishing the value of slip resistant i.e. static of certain surface. Two methods are widely used in many European countries; the pendulum test and the ramp-based test. It is very important in research of human walking and to know biomechanics of walking. Biomechanics of walking studies foot positions while walking, forces which act on human body (foot, leg, hip) and ground reaction forces. Due to importance of biomechanics, the chapter two of the paper discusses the noted field. Chapter three of the paper discusses slips, falls, and side effects caused by low. The experimental research of static with samples of shoes sole and floor tiles covered with self-adhesive floor foil for advertising is described in chapter four. This research is extension of previous research presented at SERBIATRIB 13, when the static between samples of shoes sole and ceramic tiles was measured. 2. BIOMECHANICS OF HUMAN WALKING Papers [1,2] explain in detail the biomechanics of human walking. It is known that walk cycle consists of two phases: stance phase (62 %) and swing phase (38 %). The duration between times when heel of one leg strikes the ground to the time at which the 14 th International Conference on Tribology Serbiatrib

2 same leg contacts the ground again is one walk cycle. A typical walk cycle lasts 1-2 sec, depending on speed. Stance phase is the duration when the foot is in contact with the ground, the duration from heel strike to toe off. In stance phase, exist three sub phases (Fig. 1): initial contact period: from heel strike to foot flat; midstance period: from foot flat to heel off; propulsive period: from heel off to toe off. Figure 1. Periods during a stance phase [1,2] Swing phase (recovery phase) is the duration when the foot is in the air, the duration from toe off to heel strike. In swing phase, exist three sub phases: acceleration; midswing; deceleration. While walking cycle last there are forces that control walking process: gravity (body weight); air resistance; internal muscle forces; ground reaction forces. There are two force components: normal component: vertical forces; shear component: anterior-posterior and medial-lateral forces. Ground reaction force F is the force that has impact to the body by the ground, as opposed to those applied to the ground, when a human takes a step (Fig. 2), F n is the normal component of ground reaction force, and F tr is the tangential component of ground reaction force, i.e. force. Figure 2. Forces in contact foot-ground At heel strike, the centre of pressure is located lateral to the midpoint of the heel. At mid stance, the centre off pressure moves more laterally. From heel off to toe off, the centre of pressure moves medially from the metatarsal heads to the big toe (Fig. 3). Figure 3. Centre of pressure At heel strike, the line of action of the ground reaction forces passes posterior to the ankle joint, posterior to the knee joint, and anterior to the hip joint, leading to promote ankle plantar flexion, knee flexion, and hip flexion. To prevent collapse of the lower extremity, these external moments are counterbalanced by internal joint reaction moments that are created by ankle dorsiflexors, the knee extensors, and the hip extensors. 3. SLIPS AND FALLS IN HUMAN WALKING Slips and falls are the biggest class of accidents reported to the United Kingdom s Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Statistics show slipping and tripping to be the most common causes of injuries in UK workplaces. Provisional statistics for show that slips and trips resulted in 10,626 major injuries (37 % of major injuries), and 24,000 over 3 day injuries (23 % of over 3 day injuries) reported to HSE In order to reduce the number of slip accidents, it is necessary to understand the requirements of people walking on pedestrian surfaces. It is the most important to choose the best method for measuring the surface slip resistant. For instance, two methods are mostly used in UK. The first of these is the pendulum of (COF) test. This test methodology can be applied to samples in the laboratory as well as on installation site. The second method is a laboratory based ramp method. This methodology uses trained operators walking th International Conference on Tribology Serbiatrib 15

3 at a controlled constant pace with standardised footwear soling materials and water as the contaminant. Surface micro roughness measurement can also be used as a simple tool to identify changing characteristics of surfaces in service [3]. Technical specifications for various ramp methods and the pendulum method developed in a European Standards Committee group (CENTC/339/WG1). Fall accidents have a serious social and economic impact. In 2007, Liberty Mutual (Insurance Company) reported that the total cost due to all fall accident injuries was approximately $13.9 billion [Liberty Mutual Research Institute 2009]. Slip and fall accidents has a significant risk, of all slip and fall accidents 50 % are attributed to improper flooring and 24 % are attributed to improper shoe material [National Safety Institute 2010]. During walk, when the available of (COF) is less than the required COF between shoe and floor material, the probability of a slip and fall accident occurring increases [4]. The act of slipping occurs when a person s heel slides on a walking surface and causes a loss of balance. It occurs just as the heel contacts the floor and the weight shifts to the heel. Typically, slips occur when there is too little or traction between a person s foot and shoe and the walking surface. When a person slips, most often falls backward. Slips can occur due to faulty housekeeping, contaminants (such as oils, water, etc.), weather hazards, inappropriate or worn flooring, and improper or worn footwear [5]. Slip can result in a variety of injuries, including fractures, strains, cuts, abrasions, and even death. American National Safety Council reports more than 17,000 U.S. deaths due to falls in In the workplace, slips, trips, and falls are also a major concern. According to the 2006 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, the annual direct cost of disabling occupational injuries due to slip, trips, and falls is estimated to exceed $11 billion [5]. Germany and Australia have for over 10 years detailed flooring slip resistance standards based on some 150 specific situations, for example: external walkways, swimming pool decks, swimming pool stairs, commercial kitchens, hospital operating rooms, etc. Many architects in Europe have informally adopted them. In Serbia, there is no standard for flooring slip resistance but some manufactures accept foreign standards. Zorka keramika and Kanjiža, Serbian tile manufacturers test their products according German DIN and DIN51097 standards which is based on ramp test. The slip resistance ratings based on humans walking an oily or flooring sample in standard footwear and/or bare feet on a laboratory variable-angle ramp the repeatability of which was extensively documented [Jung and Schenk 1988]. However, the test results apply only to flooring before it installed. In some cases, initially good slip resistance is gone after the building has been open for only a few weeks. The ramp test cannot be used to assess safety of the flooring on site under the ambient conditions. The United Kingdom has established since 1971 the slip resistance standards based on a portable test method, the pendulum. This test was developed for pedestrian traction [6]. In the USA, architects and designers generally look for a static of of 0.60 or higher by ASTM method C 1028 to assess potential safety for areas of level floors. This can give deceptive results, applying safe ratings to some flooring samples that are in fact very slippery when [Powers et al. 2007]. The method is now acknowledged by ASTM [2005], Ceramic Tile Institute of America [2001], and Tile Council of North America [Astrachan 2007] to be inadequate for assessing safety. Experience has shown that what is specified and ordered is not always, what is delivered, and it is prudent for property owners to verify that flooring meets their slip resistance specification both before installation and at turnover of the property for occupancy. Monitoring of slip resistance every 3 to 12 months, after that can further protect pedestrian, owner, and other duty holders [6]. 14 th International Conference on Tribology Serbiatrib

4 4. EXPERIMENT Footwear produced most from rubber, because of its good al, elastic and other properties. Experimental determination of the static between different samples of footwear soles and flooring was performed at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Niš. Static force can be measured only in the moment of sliding beginning for the reason that in next moment, after sliding start, this values falls on kinetic force value. According that this, specific device for static force measuring was designed. Schematic review of this device is presented in Figure 4 [7]. Figure 5. Measuring system The floor samples (sample B) were prepared from used plates of rough ceramic tile, smooth ceramic tile, laminate and concrete block. All floor samples covered with floor foil for marketing on pedestrian areas. Foil thickness is 0.5 mm. Dimensions of floor plates were mm according the measuring device. Surface roughness of floor samples is measured by roughness measuring device MahrSurf XR-1 (Fig. 6). Average maximum height of the profile Rz was 27.1 µm. Figure 4. Schematic review of device for measuring static force Measuring process was done by turning the screw that moves the skater and force sensor fixed on skater. The force sensor pushes sample A (footwear sole sample). Sample A starts to slide on the sample B that fixed in the base of device and pushing () force is measured. Static force occurs in the moment of sliding start. Figure 5 shows the measuring system and samples. Samples used in this experimental investigation are with following characteristics. Footwear sole samples (sample A) are prism shaped and formed by cutting the soles and glued on a piece of chipboard. Nominal contact area is mm = 900 mm 2. For this research, there are two sole samples: worn (used) rubber with texture and flat used rubber. Figure 6. ness measuring device Measurements were done with weight (normal force) variations so that contact pressure was 48 kpa, 86 kpa and 140 kpa. Static was calculated with formula μ = F μ /F n, where F μ is static force measured by force sensor and F n is the normal force, i.e. weight placed on the footwear samples. Measuring was conducted in two regimes: and condition. Values of static estimated in the test are presented in Table th International Conference on Tribology Serbiatrib 15

5 Table 1. Friction values on concrete rubber rubber It is particularly interesting how the value of static was changed when the ceramic tile is covered with floor foil. Next diagrams show comparative values of static for measuring without and with floor foil. Figure 7 presents the comparative values in case of smooth ceramic tile, and Figure 8 presents the comparative values in case of rough ceramic tile. on smooth ceramic tile rubber rubber on rough ceramic tile rubber rubber on laminate rubber rubber Figure 7. Comparative static values in case of smooth ceramic tile with and without foil Figure 8. Comparative static values in case of rough ceramic tile with and without foil Friction diagrams show that rises with foil usage. Only in case of rough rubber with smooth ceramic tile under condition, is less than with foil attached. 5. CONCLUSION This paper indicates that slips and falls are very important part of tribology. The research of slips and falls is a multidisciplinary research, where biomechanics is very important. Biomechanics investigate which forces that affect the human body. Slips and falls are often investigated topic in the world because of huge impact on economy and society. Insurance companies are very interested in noted research because they give huge money due to slips and falls injuries. In Serbia, there is not research in this area. At Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the preliminary research started in 14 th International Conference on Tribology Serbiatrib

6 2013. The paper presents the continuation of the noted research with different tribological conditions. The anti-slip foil over floor samples was tested and was determined. Content of new research will include the collection of the data about slips and falls in Serbia, and the investigation of places in pedestrian areas where slips and falls occurred mostly. This kind of research should have an effect to reducing slips and falls and thus indirectly the cost, as well as increasing the health of people. The preliminary testing was already performed under laboratory conditions, where some examples of floors and shoe soles under various condition (,, soap lubricated etc) were tested. The newest research performed by testing anti-slip advertising foil properties. Testing data show that this foil gives good results, respectively increases with foil applied on floor samples. Future investigation will cover critical places in pedestrian areas and conditions on them. Some of them are white stripes in pedestrian crossing, tiles in public areas, roadside places, building stairs, etc. REFERENCES [1] G.G. Simoneau: Kinesiology of walking, in: D.A. Neumann (Ed.): Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Physical Rehabilitation, Mosby, St. Louis, pp , [2] N. Hamilton, K. Luttgens: Kinesiology, Scientific Basis of Human Motion, Brown & Benchmark, Madison, pp , [3] S.C. Thorpe: Health and Safety Laboratory, An Agency of the Health & Safety Executive, United Kingdom. [4] J.P. Hanson, M.S. Redfern, M. Mazumdar: Predicting slips and falls considering required and available, Ergonomics, Vol. 42, No. 12, pp , [5] Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Autumn [6] J.G. Sotter: Sotter Engineering Corporation, Mission Viejo, USA. [7] D. Stamenković, M. Nikolić, M. Milošević, M. Banić, A. Miltenović, M. Mijajlović: Tribological aspect of rubber based parts used in engineering, Tribology in Industry, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 9-16, th International Conference on Tribology Serbiatrib 15